Legal Observers: Case Illustrates Dangers Of Not Having Lawyer

One way to grasp the case of accused triple murderer Salvatore Perrone is to know that last February, a New York state judge deemed him competent to stand trial after doctors found his "thought process reflects a grandiosity" but was "more consistent with a personality disorder than any psychotic illness."

That decision cleared the way for Mr. Perrone to act as his own attorney. Ever since the Staten Island clothing salesman has energetically pursued his defense, scuffling with city prosecutors over...